2007 National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Minnesota Chapter
1990 NAIA Wrestling Hall of Fame
1987 Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame
1970 NAIA Wrestling Coach of the Year
1961-1962 NCAA All-American 115 pounds
There is a storied history of wrestling at Winona State University and one of the individual s to play a key role in the successful exploits of wrestling at WSU is Frann McCann.
McCann came to WSU in the 1968-69 season when the Warriors were beginning to establish themselves as upper echelon in NAIA wrestling. McCann came on site and pushed it to the highest level it would ever reach, guiding the Warriors to a third place finish in the NAIA National Championships earning himself NAIA Coach of the Year honors in 1970.
McCann’s coaching skills were instrumental in keeping the Warriors at the heights of conference wrestling. In the eight years McCann was the head coach, the Warriors won two titles, placed second and third each twice and never finished below sixth. Those efforts carried over into the NAIA nationals with a ninth place finish in 1973-74 season and top 20 finishes in 1971-72, 1972-73, and 1975-76.
In order to be successful, a coach needs talented athletes and that McCann did have. During his WSU career, McCann’s wrestlers won 16 conference championships, places second nine times, were third eight times, and fourth 11 times on the NAIA national level. McCann coached three wrestlers who were runner up, four who placed third, and three who came in fourth.
After leaving Winona State, McCann coached on the NCAA Division I level, putting in eight years at Indiana State University and eight years at the University of Notre Dame.
Today, McCann continues to teach as a member of the University of Notre Dame Physical Education and Wellness instruction.
